Wednesday, April 11, 2001

Pilot accused of throwing nuts sacked

EXCLUSIVE by ADAM LUCK


David Turnbull: controversial

A senior Cathay Pacific pilot was sacked after allegedly throwing nuts at the company's chief executive in a bar.
Captain Scott Munro was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing just days after David Turnbull, also Cathay Pacific's deputy chairman, accused him of showering him with nuts.

The incident is believed to have happened at the Dakota bar in Cathay's private Headland Hotel, close to Chek Lap Kok airport, late last month.

Captain Munro was seated at a table in the bar with several colleagues when the confrontation occurred, according to airline sources.

One industry insider, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: "Turnbull came in and was sitting at another table. Munro threw some monkey nuts up in the air and some landed close to Turnbull.

"Turnbull came over to the table and demanded to know the names of the men at the table to find out who had thrown them," the insider said.

After the alleged confrontation, Captain Munro was brought before a disciplinary hearing and sacked last week.

The incident has provoked widespread controversy within the company and has been the subject of intense debate on independent Web sites used by airline staff.

Mr Turnbull told the South China Morning Post: "He [Captain Munro] was dismissed for throwing things at me. We have to operate a disciplined company and you do not throw things at the chief executive."

Captain Munro, who is in his 40s, is understood to have returned to his home in Australia and is believed to be considering launching an appeal against his sacking.

Cathay's conditions of service are understood to state that employment can be terminated if an officer is found guilty of any conduct, on or off duty, which is prejudicial to the interests, good name and reputation of the airline.

Mr Turnbull has been a figure of controversy within the airline since instigating mass cutbacks in 1998 and becoming locked in a series of staff disputes.

Aircrew posting online messages were divided over the decision to dismiss Captain Munro.

One e-mailer to the aircrew Web site wrote: "Is it true someone threw peanuts at Turnbull? If so, whilst I disagree with any form of violence, one must wonder just how far morale has fallen in this company for it to happen. Where will it all end? Let's hope nothing gets broken but a few monstrous egos."

Another e-mailer wrote: "The perpetrator should have been a little wiser, especially as our contract has a clause of summary dismissal for gross insubordination."

Cathay Pacific confirmed that Captain Munro had not yet lodged an appeal.

Mr Turnbull said of the pilot's behaviour: "He's the captain of the ship. It's not what you expect of him . . . If cabin crew did that to a passenger they would be dismissed."

Alan Wong, Cathay's corporate communications general manager, said: "This is a strictly internal matter between an employee and his company.

"Like any large organisation, we have disciplinary procedures which, as in this case, have been fully above board and in line with established guidelines."

Hong Kong Aircrew Officers' Association general secretary John Findlay refused to comment.
http://hongkong.scmp.com/ZZZOQKKY4LC.html

I learned about the story tonight. I find it amusing and sad. Of course, Mr. Turnbull is a figure of controversial, but his action seems to be bit "too much." He is the head of a company but acts like a little kid trying to seek revenge. The morale of CX has not been great, due to low pays of F/As and many internal problems. Mr. Turnbull is the head of a company and needs to act like a leader, instead of a little kid. Firing an employee based on a personal reason is ridiculous and creates a culture of fear. The pilot is not right in throwing nuts to him, but does he need to be fired?

I can't believe CX will spend so much time and money on a small event like this one. can't you just brush it off and move on? If I am Mr. Turnbull, I will go talk to the pilot directly and talk over it. Why are the pilots so mad at him? Why are the communications between CX and its employees is so bad? Why can't CX breed a new senese of loyalty among employees?

Gosh... this story will become another legendary CX tale! I feel bad about the pilots but he can perhaps find another job soon.

Carfield

This event has been mentioned by Bloomberg News, BBC World News, SCMP and PpRuNe, etc. Mr. Turnbull is now a famous CEO for discipling one of his pilots for unruly behaviour but a lot of people did not know this, Mr. Turnbull did nothing when a CX management pilot used a broken beer bottle to threatened the life of a First Office at a bar in Discovery Bay about 2 years ago.
http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/For...ML/013383.html

I agree that firing the pilot maybe a bit too much, but wasn't the pilot also acting like a little kid ? throwing nuts at someone you don't like, so that you feel happier ? and I would say no one would disagree that what the pilot did could at least be described as "inappropriate"...he's just not exercising good judgement which I as a passenger expect all pilots to have.

no offence here, just my two cents.

They have the flight attendants talking about it too at www.planetalk7.com

Seems like the support is mixed amongst the staff of Cathay.

See for yourself
http://www.discussion-board.com/Plan...ML/000285.html

Does not seem to me that the pilot threw the peanut to the CEO. It seems to me more like accident than deliberate act

You're bumping a thread that's 12 years old? Why?

This topic is really old. I am closing this thread as there is probably nothing new to add to restart the discussion.

cxfan1960
CX Mod